Monday, April 23, 2012

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Woody’s Bodacious Barbecue (5112 Hollister Ave., Magnolia Shopping Ctr., [805] 967-3775, woodysbbq.com) is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month, claiming it has dished out six million pounds of ribs since 1982. For comparison’s sake, the Space Shuttle tipped the scales at 4.5 million pounds. Then to think counting merely the ribs leaves out all the tri-tip in the Bullwhackers and chicken in the Mother Cluckers … suffice it to say, Woody’s feeds the world.

What’s the secret of success?

Gino and Kim Stabile have owned Woody’s since 2005 and operated it for eight years as managers prior to that. “We feel that we will make it as long as our predecessor by sticking to the Woody’s way and hard work,” said Kim. “Making it through these trying times is a testament to hard work and loyal customers.”

How do they win our Best of S.B. poll every year?

“Great-tasting, hearty portions of food at prices that are fair to both operator and customers,” advised Kim. “You can spend $10 or $20 bucks and either way leave full and satisfied. Then there is the commitment to our basic menu and not changing it with passing trends in the industry. Restaurants come and go in Santa Barbara as quickly as our sundowner winds, and only very few stand the test of time.”

How are they celebrating the milestone?

By rolling back prices to 1982, when Reagan was president and Johnny Carson hosted the Academy Awards at which Chariots of Fire took home the Best Picture Oscar. Times were simpler then. Each night a different item gets the discount, so this Thursday, April 26, is a smoked turkey sandwich for $4.25, Friday is a surprise, Saturday is chicken/beef rib combo for $5.95, Sunday is half-slab baby-back ribs for $6.45, and on Monday, the Bullwhacker tri-tip sandwich is $5.50 (that’s $3.45 off!).

Comments

This is definitely NOT one of my favorite places in town but it's almost the only place that has BBQ. Their meat has a lot of fat and half the time, their staff isn't very friendly. I like the atmosphere and location but they sure could find a better meat source and make their staff be more friendly. Good for them for being in business so long but if another BBQ places comes to Goleta, I'll sure be heading there first.

Happy Birthday and many more! This is definitely my favorite ribs place in California. There is one that comes close in Bakersfield but I think Woody's is the best! The staff has always been friendly, the food delicious and the prices great. No wonder they have done so well. Congratulations Gino and Kim!

However if you like really dry and tough hamburgers, Woodys is your place.

If you like grease encrusted tables, walls, fixtures etc, then Woodys is definitely for you.

If you like outrageously expensive food, considering you have to drag it back to your grease encrusted table by yourself and then find all your condiments from huge barrels scattered around.....hey you will love it.

Good for Kids

However, it is a great environment for kids.

My suggestion, take you kids there, buy them an ice tea and let them play the video games and then take them to a real restaurant where you can sit down and have your meal served to you like a regular person.

Yes, SB is sorely lacking in Bar B Q restaurants.....the best one around is in Ventura....Wood Ranch BarBQ is a real restaurant with smoked premium meats. I wish they would build one here.

Rstein9 - I agree with EVERYTHING you mentioned above. I've never been to Wood Ranch BBQ but in Carpinteria, there's an amazing BBQ place called The BBQ Company, it's right by the ocean. The owner is the head chef and sometimes even brings your food right to your table. Tons of sides that are all incredible and the meat is of really high quality. Not cheap but not too expensive either. The whole restaurant is nice. The bathrooms are even cleaner than the main restaurant of Woody's. I really think Woody's is only still there because they're the only BBQ place nearby and people don't know what real BBQ is supposed to taste like. I've never seen any real BBQ skills at Woody's and I've lived here for over 20 years!

Even with the rollback to 1982 prices, no thank you. Food isn't what it used to be and the staff can't seem to bothered or they are distracted by other things. Ribs are always dry and overcooked, that is when they aren't dripping with grease! Chicken caesar salad, they must use 5 day old chicken because that too is always dry! I placed an order from their online menu not too long ago, went to pick it up, got back to work and there were items missing on my salad. I called to inquire and the twit on the other end "oh yea, our menu online isn't right anymore, it changed about 6 months ago," duh, I should have known! Not to mention that my kids and their dad went there for dinner last week and all three ended up with food poisoning! It'll take more than 1982 prices to get us back.

@ restein9 - Wood Ranch BarBQ is the BOMB!!! I've only been to the one in Agoura, didn't know about Ventura, wow - thanks!!@ Muggy - Now that I know that Carp has a place, never hurts to take a short drive!